NBA Best of the Week Awards
It is time for HoopsHabit’s NBA Best of the Week Awards. Each week we’ll take a look back at the week that was to determine the best players, teams and performances in the NBA.
Players of the Week
Gold Medal: Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant was already having a great week; he then went out and dropped a career-high 52 points on Dallas. He led his Oklahoma City Thunder to a perfect week. He averaged 36.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.25 assists.
Silver Medal: Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday is putting together an All-Star caliber season. In fact, there is an argument that he should be starting the All-Star Game. His Philadelphia 76ers went 2-1 this week. Holiday was impressive averaging 30.6 points, 11.3 assists and 3.6 steals per game.
Bronze Medal: LeBron James
LeBron James put another solid all-around week together. He averaged 29.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 3.0 steals and even 1.25 blocks per game. He is adding to his resume to be considered among the greatest all-around players.
This week he scored his 20,000th point, becoming the youngest player (in terms of age) to ever hit that mark. He also recorded his 5,000th assist. He now in only the 11th player in NBA history to have 20,000 points, 5,000 assists and 5,000 rebounds.
Performance of the Week: Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard nabs performance of the week honors. In only his second game back from injury, he scored 31 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and had four blocks in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He averaged 22.0 points, 15.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game over the week.
Player to Watch: DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins has had a rough season. While very talented, he also has had disciplinary issues with the team that led to a suspension. His play on the court this week seems to be putting those issues in the past.
He averaged 20.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals this week. He had a double-double in three straight games.
Rookie of the week: Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal is developing into a solid scorer for the Washington Wizards. He has been getting better as the season has progressed. This week, he averaged 20.5 points, which his seven points per game above his season average. He also chipped in with 4.6 assists
Game of the Week: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat
Although the Lakers’ record is not the greatest, these are two marquee teams. The added drama of Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James always adds to the fun as well. This matchup came just after James broke Bryant’s record as the youngest player to reach 20,000 points.
The return of Dwight Howard had sparked the Lakers of late as they entered the game on a two-game winning streak. The game lived up to the hype, as it was close the entire way. It was not until the final two minutes that the Heat were able to pull away and secure a nine-point win. James won the battle on the scoreboard as well as the score sheet as he outscored Bryant 39-22.
Team of the Week: Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder take home Team of the Week honors. They won all four of their games this week. While they do have the best one-two punch in the league in Durant and Russell Westbrook, they are bigger than just them.
Kevin Martin provides scoring, Serge Ibaka plays good defense while grabbing rebounds, blocking shots and scoring. The bench is full of players that are not stars but are secure in the roles and prosper in them. The Thunder have the best record in the league right now.
PJ Sapienza
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